Chapter 35
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Setting Out for Battle
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Setting Out for Battle
Five days after the armory incident, I was in the Marquiss office at his summons.
"You called for me?"
The Marquis, who had been looking out the window, turned his head. He looked utterly exhausted.
"Welcome."
He offered a smile, but it was tinged with bitterness.
"Thanks to you, we were able to resolve the corruption. I thought it only right to call you and tell you how things have progressed."
"Yes, sir."
"You were right. It wasn't just the first armory. The second, the third, the food stores, even the general warehousesthe problems were endless."
"Is that so?"
"I can't even count the number of people involved on both hands. I can overlook the soldiers and servants I barely know, but the fact that people who have assisted me for over a decade were involved... it still pains my heart."
True to his words, a dark shadow hung over the Marquis's face.
"Still, you managed to uncover all those involved in the corruption."
"The armory manager and the inspector told us everything. It was almost miraculous."
That was the effect of my poison. Though it wasn't really a poison, but a truth serum.
"They answered every question we asked and even volunteered information we didn't ask for. The investigation became incredibly easy. So easy it was bewildering."
That's how a truth serum works. Its effects are amplified under stress. Since they were constantly pressured by my aura, their mouths naturally loosened.
"And... after confessing everything, they died in prison that night."
"They..."
I was the one who had caused their deaths, so I wasn't surprised at all, but I feigned a slight look of shock.
"The cause of death is still unknown. But they must have been in so much agony that they scratched the walls until their fingernails fell off. The marks are still there on the prison walls."
"I don't know the circumstances, but if they died in pain, I think it's for the best. They were men who saw the people of this territory and its soldiers as nothing more than money. They deserved to suffer even more."
The poison I used to infect them was Wayeomdok. I had wrapped it in my internal energy, letting it lie dormant before setting it to activate later. They would have died feeling an all-consuming, fiery agony, without ever knowing why.
"Hmm, could you possibly... No, never mind."
The Marquis moved his lips as if wanting to say something more.
"As you said, everyone involved in this affair will be sentenced to death, regardless of their station."
"That is how it should be."
"Hah... I've learned a lot from this."
The Marquis took a deep breath, then let out a heavy sigh.
"Not long after I became Marquis, I was once reprimanded by the former king. He scolded me openly in front of many other nobles. It was truly painful and humiliating. But being called out by you five days ago was more painful and more humiliating."
"..."
"I couldn't refute a single word you said. I couldn't even make an excuse. You spoke the plain truth, and you had even prepared for the aftermath. I felt so pathetic that I couldn't even sleep."
Perhaps that was why, I heard, the Marquis had handled the entire affair himself over the past few days without any sleep.
"I am truly sorry for showing you the image of such a shameful father, Yuren."
"Not at all. I, too, did nothing but cause trouble until I finally came to my senses. Everyone makes mistakes. All that matters is that you don't repeat them."
"Hah, I truly can't win against you anymore."
The Marquis let out a sigh that seemed to sweep away the shadows from his face, and he smiled.
"Yes. You're right. I must not make the same mistake again. Thank you for reminding me once more."
"It was nothing."
"Heh, you must be busy preparing for the expedition. You may go."
"Yes. Then I'll be on my way."
After a brief exchange of glances with the Marquis, I left his office. When I returned to my room, Peru was waiting for me.
"Grand Prince. It has arrived."
Peru placed three vials on the table.
"Is this it?"
"Yes. The poison from the Ironclad Mushroom Flower."
The poison I had asked Peru to procure this time was a neurotoxin from the Ironclad Mushroom Flower.
Neurotoxins have various symptoms, but their most notable effect is paralyzing the respiratory muscles, causing asphyxiation. The poison found in pufferfish is a prime example.
I had specifically requested a neurotoxin from Peru because I figured the fish-like monsters wouldn't be accustomed to breathing on land.
"Thank you. You've worked hard."
"Oh, it was nothing. By the way, Grand Prince, have you heard the news?"
"Heard what news, you dolt? You left out the subject."
"Your popularity outside is no joke these days."
"Popularity?"
Peru's eyes twinkled as he nodded.
"I stopped by a few places on my way to get the poison, and everyone in the territory is talking about you, Grand Prince."
"About me? The rumors have already spread?"
"Yes! So many people witnessed the incident that the rumors have more than spread. From what I hear, people knew about it the very next day."
I was starting to understand what Peru was talking about.
"The name of Grand Prince Yuren Lox, who single-handedly uncovered the hidden corruption of the Marquis's house and used his own funds to purchase equipment for the soldiers, is spreading far and wide!"
"Hah, what..."
"That famous line you said to the Marquis, about how the soldiers must be put before anyone else, is now recited every time people raise a toast in the taverns."
"Nonsense."
"It's true! I'm telling you what I saw and heard in the territory myself."
Frustrated that I didn't believe him, Peru pounded his chest.
"Your popularity is really off the charts, Grand Prince. If you went to the village now like you used to, anyone who called you a scoundrel would probably be beaten to death."
"Really? But my reputation was as a troublemaker. How could it change so quickly..."
"I'm telling you, it's true. Until now, who else has done more than pay lip service to caring for the soldiers and the people? But you, Grand Prince, exposed corruption for the soldiers' sake. You bought armor and shields with your own money. How could they not like you? The soldiers are the people of this land, and their families are too."
I still found it hard to believe, but Peru's expression was so earnest it didn't seem like a lie.
"Alright. Thanks for letting me know."
"Not at all. Hearing them praise you made me feel proud. The rumors will probably spread throughout the entire kingdom soon."
Peru looked genuinely happy. The smile never left his face.
"Ah, you must need to train now. I'll take my leave."
"Oh, you're getting perceptive."
"Hehe! I'll be outside."
After sending Peru out, I sat on the floor and picked up a vial of poison.
"This doesn't feel bad."
I had acted more out of my own anger than any thought for the soldiers, but hearing that the people of the territory were all happy about it brought a natural smile to my face.
After a moment of meditation to calm my mind, I uncorked the vial and downed the poison in one gulp.
You have consumed Poison (Ironclad Mushroom Flower).
Myriad Poisons Magnetic Divine Qi is absorbing the Poison (Ironclad Mushroom Flower).
The achievement level of Myriad Poisons Magnetic Divine Qi has increased.
Kun-Slaying Spear has been unlocked.
The trait 'Immunity to a Hundred Poisons' is nullifying the pain and symptoms of the Poison (Ironclad Mushroom Flower).
I gritted my teeth, preparing to endure the symptoms of the neurotoxin, but thanks to my immunity, I felt nothing. There was only a slight warmth in my stomach.
I immediately circulated the Myriad Poisons Magnetic Divine Qi. With no pain at all, I was able to convert all the poison into internal energy in a short time without any wasted focus.
"This poison immunity is a total cheat."
Until now, consuming poison had always brought excruciating pain and left me with a headache even after absorption, but today, it ended so refreshingly.
Time to check out the newly unlocked poison.
Kun-Slaying Spear (Neurotoxin)
Meaning 'the spear that kills the legendary sea beast, the Kun,' a minuscule amount can kill a human, leaving no trace of poison. The larger the dose, the more instantaneous the death, without even a moment of pain.
This poison was perfect for assassination, allowing me to choose between a slow death or an instant one simply by adjusting the dosage. Reading about it, I got chills from my own ability.
"Huh? Wait a minute. This isn't right."
Something strange had happened. I had consumed the mushroom flower to unlock a poison of a lower tier than Kun-Slaying Spear, but I had somehow skipped a level and unlocked a mid-tier poison instead.
"It's not a bad thing, but... why?"
The only reason I could think of was that my Myriad Poisons Magnetic Divine Qi had reached the intermediate level.
If my internal energy technique had advanced to the intermediate level, allowing me to learn an intermediate-level poison, then as my technique's achievement level rose, it would become even easier to unlock higher-tier poisons.
In that case...
"Peru."
"Yes!"
Peru, who had been waiting outside, came right back in.
"Open your pouch."
"Sir?"
Without a word, Peru opened his magic pouch.
"Ack! What are you doing!"
I poured a cascade of gold coins into Peru's pouch.
"Use this to buy poison."
"Again? And this much?"
"Yes."
I had money to spare, and thanks to my poison immunity, absorbing poison was no different from drinking water.
I would use my wealth to challenge the 5th star of the Myriad Poisons Magnetic Divine Qi before we set out for battle.
"Hah..."
"Grand Prince."
It took a long time to acquire the poisons, and in the end, I failed to reach the 5th star. As I sighed in disappointment, Peru called to me from my side.
"What is it?"
"Don't we look a little... shabby?"
At Peru's words, I glanced to my left and right. A sea of gleaming silver armor rippled on both sides. They were the knights brought by Collin and Raon.
I, along with Collin and Raon, had gathered in the first training ground for the departure ceremony.
"The difference is too great. Are we going to be okay?"
Mixed among Collin and Raon's knights were mages and what appeared to be veteran mercenaries. But I had only Peru by my side, with Arin and Klyde standing behind me.
The comparison was inevitable, even if I didn't want to make it.
"Why did you have to refuse the knights who offered to come..."
Whether Peru's claim about my newfound popularity was true or not, quite a few knights and mercenaries had offered their help, but I had turned them all down.
I had already decided how I would fight, so I didn't need anyone else.
"Brother!"
My eyes met Raon's on my right. Despite the crowd, he smiled and gave me a respectful nod.
"Pfft."
This time, I looked to my left at Collin. He was looking at me and my men with a twisted smile playing on his lips.
"That bastard didn't get hit hard enough."
I quietly slipped aside and stood behind Collin.
Smack!
"Ugh! Which bastard was that!"
I had smacked him on the back of the head with the palm of my hand.
"It was me, you bastard!"
"Grr!"
Collin glared at me, grinding his teeth so hard I thought they would break.
"You know what you have to say."
"What are you talking about?"
"This won't do. After we get back from the campaign, we're going to have another thrashing. I won't go easy on you for crying this time."
"Grrr... My great... brother."
"My weak little brother. Don't go crying just because a fish smacked you around."
"Ugh..."
I wanted to tease him more, but I saw the Marquis approaching and returned to my position.
"I will not speak long."
The Marquis began to speak the moment he ascended the dais. His low voice echoed throughout the training ground.
"I will be in the most dangerous place. I will be at the very front. I will be with you, wherever you go. Fight with me to protect our lands!"
"Waaahhh!"
"Yeahhh!"
"Long live Marquis Willington!"
"Lox forever!"
At the Marquis's words, the soldiers roared with all their might.
"'Fight with me,' not 'fight for me'... Not bad."
It was a short but fiery speech, promising to lead from the front and asking them to trust and follow.
"Grand Prince. It's our turn to depart."
"Right."
After the Marquis's speech, we moved toward our designated area. The soldiers had been divided equally among the three heir candidates, and I led my assigned troops toward our destination.
Two days after our departure, we finally arrived at my designated defensive position.
The place I had to defend was a fortress wall built right on the coast. Looking down, I could see a few Bollaks wandering about.
"Wouldn't it be easy to defend this place just by shooting arrows?"
"It's not that simple, Grand Prince," Hans, the wall's administrator, replied.
"In a few days, the entire sea will be teeming with Bollaks. When they surge forward, they'll break down the walls and even the gate. It will be a difficult fight."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Which is why I must ask, Grand Prince... are more reinforcements coming?"
Hans looked at me with desperate eyes.
"Reinforcements?"
"The Bollaks have shields, so they can push right up to the gate even if we fire arrows. We'll have to go outside the walls to deal with the monsters so they don't break through, but with only five knights, we'll never be able to hold them back."
"It's not five. This man is the Marquis's butler, here to watch me, and this one is my butler."
"Th-Then there are only three knights?"
Hans stared at me with an expression of utter disbelief.
"Three knights or not, he's the only one who'll be fighting, so you don't have to worry."
"Me? By myself?"
Klyde, who had been observing the view below, jumped in surprise and ran over to me.
"Yeah, you. Alone."
"What are you talking about! How can I..."
I grinned and patted Klyde's armor.
"You have a hidden potential. I'm going to draw it out for you."
The time had come to awaken the monster slayer, the Berserker.